The Alto Yellow Jackets are entering the football season with some big personnel changes in their offense, as well as in their defense. However, their defense has the security of knowing they have senior Tyarius Hackett.

Hackett was a defensive linemen last year where he recorded 85 tackles and 11 sacks. This year, he enters the district as the Preseason Defensive MVP and will have a new role on the team as a linebacker.

Coming into the new season, Hackett is accepting the role of being the defensive leader on the team at linebacker.

“I need to step up, be a leader, keep working out, make sure they work out, make sure they do what they're supposed to do, and make sure I do what I'm supposed to do,” said Hackett.

Alto head football coach Paul Gould said it may be a new position for Hackett, but the sky is the limit for this kid.

“He's done a great job so far getting to play a different position. He's starting to read different things. You can see in the scrimmages he's progressing well. Every week he's getting better,” said Gould. “He likes to hit people, he likes to get in on tackles, and he likes the physical part of the football game. He's a defensive leader. He gets fired up. He kind of gets the guys going and that's a good thing, it really is,” said Gould.

Hackett and the entire Yellow Jacket team will be put to the test when the play Crockett Friday night at 7:30 p.m.